Marcel explains to his new drivers that most vehicles are now fitted with a ‘close proximity’ mirror pointing to the nearside front wheel. What is the purpose of this mirror?

Explanation: • To help the driver keep close to the left in normal driving: No, a mirror pointing here would only allow the driver to see where the wheel is after the time it arrives at that point and would therefore not be very useful in this respect at normal driving speeds.
• To enable the driver to spot punctures in the wheel at the earliest opportunity: No, the driver would 'feel' a puncture through the effects of heavy steering.
• To check for drain covers and gutters on the nearside: No, adopting a 'normal' position in the road would avoid the majority of these obstructions.
• To enable the driver to check for pedestrians cyclists etc. particularly when turning left: Yes, this is a useful mirror to see any objects or people close to the wheel when turning left or manoeuvring.

Category: CPC Case Studies: Risk Factors